NCJ Number
49092
Journal
STUDENT LAWYER JOURNAL Volume: 16 Dated: (JUNE 1971) Pages: 18-21
Date Published
1971
Length
4 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A 1969-1970 STUDY OF BLACK LAW STUDENT ENROLLMENT ARE SUMMARIZED AND DISCUSSED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF BLACK UNDERREPRESENTATION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
Abstract
RESPONSES TO A QUESTIONNAIRE ON STUDENT ENROLLMENT FROM 125 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LAW SCHOOLS INDICATED THAT OF A TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT OF 57,573, ONY 1,605 STUDENT ENROLLMENT WAS HIGHER IN IVY LEAGUE AND OTHER PRIVATE EASTERN UNIVERSITIES THAN IN PUBLICLY SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS IN THE SOUTH, MIDWEST, OR WEST (WITH THE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF UCLA). RESULTS ARE PARTICULARLY DISCOURAGING WHEN CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF FINDINGS OF A 1960 SURVEY WHICH SHOWED THAT ONLY 1 PERCENT (2,004) OF ALL MALE LAWYERS AND JUDGES 2.3 PERCENT (176) OF FEMALE LAWYERS AND JUDGES ARE BLACK. WHILE EXISTING EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE MAY NOW BE REALIZED BY SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS, INCREASED FINANCIAL AND FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITIES MAKE PURSUIT OF MINORITIES. REALIZATION OF THIS FACT INITIATED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY (CLEO). THE CLEO PROGRAM IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR BLACK LAW STUDENTS IN THE COUNTRY. COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE RECRUITMENT OF DISADVANTAGED MINORITY STUDENTS FOR LAW SCHOOLS, SUMMER INSTITUTES FOR PROSPECTIVE MINORITY LAW STUDENTS, AND SCHOLARSHIP AID. IN 1971, CLEO IS SUPPORTING OVER 570 LAW STUDENTS ENROLLED IN APPROXIMATELY 89 LAW SCHOOLS. INCREASED FUNDING, PARTICULARLY FEDERAL FUNDING, FOR PROGRAMS LIKE CLEO IS CRITICAL IF THE IMBALANCES IN MINORITY GROUP LEGAL REPRESENTATION ARE TO BE REDRESSED. LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT BY THE ORGANIZED BAR IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDING EQUAL EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITIES. ADDITIONAL STATISTICAL DATA ON THE TWO SURVEYS CITED ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (JAP)